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Archive for the ‘Paranormal or fantasy’ Category

Somethin’s Brewin!

Posted: November 27, 2012 in Adult Fiction, apocalypse, Contests, Creatures, fiction, giveaways, horror, Interview, otherworldly, Paranormal or fantasy, suspense, thriller
Tags: Brewin, creatures, Dark Horde, fiction, Horror, Margaret Clark

There’s something “Brewin” on fuonlyknew!

As promised, I have Brewin here today to answer some questions and tell us all about himself! He’s brewed up some good stuff, along with a fantastic giveaway, so lets get started!

Hi Brewin. I loved The Dark Horde and want to say thanks for doing this interview and for “brewin” up this awesome giveaway! Let’s have some fun shall we?

Thank you Laura for having me! I’ve been looking forward to this!

How did you get started in writing?

Well… How long have you got? Haha. Let’s just say that I consider myself fortunate (and unusual as far as I can tell) in that I knew from a very early age, about seven, that I wanted to be a writer. And basically over the years, I’ve spent a hell of a lot of my life in my room “shut-off from the outside world” you could say, creating stories and games. After now doing this for over thirty years, you could say I’ve accumulated quite a lot of material! And only some of it am I now beginning to share with the “outside world” J

But to tie-in with the next question, I first started to “write for the purposes of publication” when I was sixteen (1991) and I first began to write the manuscript for The Dark Horde with a well-known Australian author, Margaret Clark, as my mentor. With her support, I submitted the manuscript (then about 300 pages of what was to be about a 1000 page manuscript) to Penguin books in 1992 and got a three page letter back from them to say how great it was. That was in my final year of high school, after which I started uni, wrote a bit more of The Dark Horde the following year (up to about 700 pages), and then began writing Evermore: An Introduction instead: which I finished at about 700 pages but didn’t publish until another five or so years after that… It was about 2003 before I returned to The Dark Horde and rewrote it largely from scratch: packing into 300 pages what was once a story told over about 1000 pages. Which funnily enough is the opposite of what my mentor had been urging me to do when I was originally writing it. She had always wanted me to slow things down you see and spend more time filling out the story with descriptions of settings and characters, but after having done that and not feeling the “fast and furious fear” I wanted, I would go back to my original instincts when I revisited the story years later J -And as an aside, I also consciously did something at the very end partially because she said “whatever you do, don’t do this, cos that’s just too harsh a thing to do to that character”, which only encouraged me to decide that was exactly what I was going to at the end haha, because it would be another great shock that the reader wouldn’t expect. And so I did.

How did you come up with the idea for The Dark Horde?

The Dark Horde at the time I first began to create the story was actually “modern day” haha. It was 1989 when I was up at the Geelong Grammar campus called Timbertop, which is a year-nine mixed gender campus set up in the high country near Mansfield. It’s basically the same school as described in The Dark Horde (likewise Howqua Hills being based on Mansfield), and being isolated, quite an ideal setting for horror.

The germ of the idea, if I can pin-point it to an event, was when I wrote a “werewolf” kinda short story for English class. My teacher was so impressed with the way in which I’d structured the building tension / horror in the story that it was then used as a writing exercise for the entire year level. The exercise was that the story was cut into about fifteen different parts, and students had to figure out the right order the parts went in, based on the events and the elements of building tension. I guess that experience reinforced in my mind that I was onto something that was worthy and would be appreciated. I began writing this story, called “Canine Prowler” that basically had a werewolf among the students at Timbertop that were being slowly killed in various shocking ways… I only got to about 40 pages of that though…

Then at the start of 1991 (my second-last year of high school), I wrote another story called “The Visitor” about a bunch of farmers whose game of scrabble is rudely interrupted. My English teacher at the time loved it, and Margaret Clark wanted me to turn it into a novel… So I did. I took that chapter as the start and incorporated some of the earlier ideas for my “Canine Prowler” story to begin writing what was known even then, as The Dark Horde.

What was the hardest part about writing your book and do you have a favorite scene?

As far as the writing itself goes, in hind-sight I was probably say letting it go, and finally deciding not to re-write it, re-edit it, add to it etc. I rewrote it three or four times, and edited it maybe twice that number, before then having others in turn edit it. Ultimately there comes a point, when you have to just accept your work for what it is; something that will never be perfect or universally liked; and move onto the next thing. So considering this took me some twenty years to do, I think it’s fair to say I struggled with this haha. But having said that, it’s publicity / promotion that is by far the hardest aspect of writing overall though, and it’s an area I certainly need to improve in!

My “favourite” (to use UK / Aus spelling as I do) scene, if I had to pick one, is simply the chapter that’s come up most when readers have commented to me on their most memorable parts of the book, for the way it builds the horror up to an unexpected and graphic shock that is hard to forget. That’s the chapter where Bruce wakes up on the couch at Aaron’s place with a hangover. I also submitted this same chapter (link: http://kimkoning.wordpress.com/2012/11/09/coffinhop-the-winners-are/ ) for a horror short story competition (after checking it was eligible) and was told just today that it won first prize! J

I loved that scene! I’m not surprised it won 1^st prize. Well done.

* A week later * Oh gee… Sorry it’s taken me so long to finish this! But actually I can add to the above now, with something even better: The Dark Horde has just won an Honorable Mention in the 20th Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published Awards (Genre Fiction category), and with something like 3,000 entries, that’s pretty significant hey? -I’ve now won or been a finalist in 3 out of 4 writing competitions I’ve entered this year (the one I missed being the annual Windhammer gamebook competition)… Which tells me I really should start entering more of them haha. Oh and get better at telling people what I’m doing / have done J

Will we be reading more about the horde?

Haha yes. And not just reading but listening too! One of my current projects is a “musical” album you see, i.e. a story with narration and sung lyrics set to music. That musical album has the working title “The Calling” and it’s basically the back-story to The Dark Horde: it ends where The Dark Horde starts. I’ve had this in mind for a long time now: the album being something that I’ve worked on with numerous musicians and with numerous versions for the last er, thirteen years or so. And the idea is that the album reveals things not revealed in the first book, and together in turn they set up the second book, set in the far past, and the third book to be set in the near future. It’s also because of the album that I decided not to include the full prologue in the published version of The Dark Horde, as that’s a story to be told in more detail on the album. Anyway here’s a sample of some of the sung lyrics from the start of the album:

TO KNOW THE FUTURE

IS TO KNOW THE HORROR TO COME

TO KNOW WHAT STALKS US

CALLING FROM THE DARKNESS INSIDE

i’ve seen the naked truth

been burned by the flame

sealed is our fate

only hell awaits!

now my world’s a dark void, where no hope exists

And despite my efforts, only the dark persists

The Dark Horde will soon win, that I clearly see

and then these words shall be all,all that’s left of me

Take my hand, render me blind

Hide from me the fear that grips my mind

I want to live, I want to be

No longer want to know nor see

(REPEAT ONCE)

I wish to erase from my mind, all THAT I know

delude myself and forever, dwell in truth’s shadow

But I know it’s useless, for our souls they’ve already won

So let these words be a warning: WARNING of what’s to come!

…The type of music for the album I guess you could say is “heavy metal”, and probably something in the flavour of the book trailer (link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZl2uZNvj5c) for which the music is done by Liam Wagener: the same friend I’ve got doing the album with other established Australian musicians. But the idea of it is not to have it as something that only metalheads can appreciate, more so that the drums , guitars and keyboards will give it that “horror” kinda edge. It’s important too that the narration and lyrics can be easily understood, so that the listener can play the whole album through and follow the story the whole time.

I like the idea of listening to your story with music and songs. That’s a new one for me. Lovin the lyrics and so happy to hear there’s more Dark Horde coming.

Do you listen to music when writing and if so, do you have any favorites?

That I do. And funnily enough, it’s “heavy metal” haha. But since that’s actually a very broad label (like “classical music” say is), I tend to write to something that is more background and conducive to the writing process: melodic music with indistinct vocals works well for this purpose (as occurs in “melodic death metal” say), but also “power metal” tunes work well for writing fantasy or sci-fi and darker “progressive metal” or “ambient instrumentally orientated” tunes work well for horror. I do like “classic heavy metal”, “thrash metal” and “hard rock” a lot too, but these are less conducive to writing as I’ve found (particularly if there’s “anthemic” choruses that can be distracting).

Would you tell us about other books you’ve written?

Happy to! Evermore: An Introduction (link: http://www.thebrewin.com/works/evermore-an-introduction) I first self-published in 2001 (in Melbourne only), again in 2003 (across Australia) and again this year (in North America and Europe). You could say it’s an “experimental” novel with elements of fantasy, philosophy, biography and even “interactive fiction” in that the reader comes to control the story. It’s a book that I went out of my way to make it such that you couldn’t actually sum up what it was and you may not be surprised to know that it was hard to market, but also that when it was initially published, the Australian National Library weren’t sure how to categorise it either and put it into (what was then) it’s own category. I personally distributed a handful of copies of the 2001 edition (about 30) around stores in Melbourne, but this was surprisingly enough to get a following, and even have a magazine start-up for which the two editors told me Evermore was their inspiration. So I self-published it through Brolga in 2003 with Australia-wide distribution through Pan Macmillan. The book ended up on bookshelves and in libraries in everything from “General Fiction” to “Fantasy” to “Sci-Fi” to “Philosophy” to “New Age Fiction” to “Australiana” and even, erroneously, “Young Adult Fiction” (poor kids!) and I sold enough (close to 2000 copies) to break even thereabouts. Being the sort of book it was though, some thought it was one of the most amazing books they’d ever read (including well-known Australian authors like Margaret Clark and Anita Bell), whilst others hated it. It, like everything I tend to do, wasn’t like anything others had read really: and it certainly “pushed boundaries”, cos that’s what I’m driven to do J

I’ve also released a third “book” this year called Infinite Universe (link: http://www.thebrewin.com/works/infinite-universe). -It’s actually a science-fiction digital “gamebook”, where it’s a story you buy through the Apple App Store to read on your iPhone or iPad (other platforms, including Android, PC and Mac are to come soon I understand). It’s a story where you’re the main character, and like a “choose-your-own-adventure” story, you’re the one making the choices about what the main character does. There’s dice too: you have a character sheet with stats, skills and items (like in a role-playing game a la Dungeons and Dragons) and at certain points in the story you have to roll dice: either to make a stat or skill check, to fight something, or simply as a random roll. It’s digital because you can shake the device to roll the virtual dice, the program tracks all the necessary rules and items and injuries you collect, plus there’s illustrations, music, achievements, and unlockables like star-maps and encyclopaedias. I didn’t do any of these components (just the design and writing, and some of the editing and playtesting), but a whole bunch of awesome people were involved and it’s published by Tin Man Games as part of their Gamebook Adventures series: four other titles of which I edited, re-balanced and re-wrote parts of. Again it pushed a lot of boundaries. Infinite Universe was also like everything I seem to do: not really like anything others had seen before, completely different from anything else I’d done, and again saw a wide divergence in opinion. -For some it was their favourite in the Gamebook Adventures series and they raved about it, whilst others; particularly in the American market as it happens; thought it was the worst in the series. (Which largely I put down to it not being what they were expecting: it’s sci-fi with a lot of “Australian” humour, and the elements of sarcasm and self-depreciation don’t seem to translate so well when blended with sci-fi comedy, unlike how it seems to work with horror). -Regardless, I don’t think too many thought it was like anything else they’d read

I’ve written another book, er “gamebook” this year as well, which was for the annual Windhammer gamebook competition I mentioned earlier. It’s called Trial of the Battle God, and you can download a pdf copy for free here. (link: http://www.arborell.com/trialofthebattlegod.pdf) –Again it pushed the boundaries, in this case what you could do in a gamebook. It’s basically a fantasy deathmatch between multiple champions in a dungeon (a la something like Hunger Games though I’ve not actually read or seen it). The things in particular that make Trial of the Battle God quite different though are that it features at least seven other opponents that are moving around the dungeon just as you are; acquiring items and injuries and fighting each other; plus it can be played with between one and six human players. I’ve written a lot more about the design of this here. (link: http://www.thebrewin.com/blog/entry/deconstruction-of-trial-of-the-battle-god) –I plan to expand on this sometime “soon-ish” (probably as some kind of “gamebook / board-game hybrid”).

Are you working on something now?

Suffice to say, I’m never not working on something haha. I’m working on at least three projects (depending on how you count) with Tin Man Games for their Gamebook Adventures for instance, plus there’s The Dark Horde album, and then there’s a least another three projects of mine (two of which are games) in various stages of development. (And then, heaven forbid, there’s the demands of the “day job”!) -Some of these projects are due to be completed in the near future, but I don’t want to suggest a specific time or say too much about them just yet

Tell us something quirky about yourself!

Haha where to start? I think I was about eight when the thought occurred to me: “I’m really not like anybody else am I?” -A thought which was almost immediately followed by the thought “And gee, I really don’t want to be either. Being ‘normal and fitting in’ would be so boring!”

Throughout my life ever since, I’ve never really tried to fit in (and consequently never really have): I’ve mostly lived inside the worlds of my own imagination. I don’t think of this as a negative thing (I wasn’t retreating from or traumatized by anything), it’s more just that imagination was much more interesting to me than what “others were doing”. -I could go on, but how much “quirk” do you really want to know? Haha. Besides that Evermore: An Introduction goes into detail about the freak I am, so you could always read that to find out… In a nutshell, there’s very little about me really that isn’t quirky haha.

Is there anything else you’d care to say?

Hmmm… Thanks for listening to my dribble?

Five Fun Shorts!

1) Scariest movie you’ve watched?

The Amytiville Horror (the original 1979 one). It’s actually the only movie I can think of that really actually “scared the sh*t out of me”. I used to go out of my way to challenge myself, to try to find something that really “got me”. I watched The Exorcist and Alien alone at home late at night with all the lights out when I was about 13 for instance, and I got a good buzz out of that, but The Amytiville Horror (which I watched when I was 9 I think?) was the one that got me most. Why? Cos I believed that it was based on what had actually happened, and was able to watch the movie as if it was “real”. The Devil doesn’t scare me cos I don’t believe in him, but ghosts and spirits can scare the sh*t out of me cos I believe they’re real (and have numerous experiences of my own, but that’s a tangent!)

2) Scariest book you’ve read?

Hmmm. Tough one. It takes something special to really “get me” in a book, but I know I’m kinda desensitized. (I’m glad though how many people have reported that The Dark Horde really scared them cos I self-critique myself at times and sometimes think “is that even scary what I just wrote?”) -Anyway, the book that comes to mind for me at the moment, isn’t actually a horror really at all: it was a Young Adult Fiction book by Gillian Rubinstein called Space Demons that I read when I was um, 12 I think. It’s basically about a computer game that these kids play, that starts to take over their own reality and allow these evil Space Demons into our world. With my imagination, these Space Demons began to overtake my reality, and I began to imagine seeing them everywhere, taunting and playing with me. Space Demons catalysed many of my own ideas for The Dark Horde.

3) Three things you can’t live without?

Being able to create (stories, games, etc) is definitely the most fundamental thing for me: it’s what I exist for. Second to that is probably playing games: whether that be alone or with friends. Third is probably music: particularly “metal”.

4) What is your worse fear?

In terms of “something I want to avoid” I’d say it’s not achieving my life’s goals. In terms of “something that causes terror/anxiety” it probably is the occult / spirit world, which is also what fascinates me about it.

5) If you could be a real supernatural being, what would you be?

I have always liked werewolves haha. The sense of freedom, of power, of unrestrained passion, and even closeness with the natural world. But also their sense of community, of allegiance to one another… But I wasn’t just going to write another werewolf story now was I?

Bonus Question!

Tell Santa what you want for Christmas?

I reckon more time would be just about be the most useful thing to me right now haha. And he seems to be pretty good at manipulating that! So perhaps if he could just show me how he does some of his tricks to get more things done in the time available, I’ll let him off having to give me anything for the rest of this lifetime J

Good answer! I could use some of that myself.

Thanks for answering my questions Brewin. It’s been fun!

It certainly has been fun! Thank you so much Laura for the opportunity!

To purchase The Dark Horde click on image in my sidebar.

For my review go here .

And now for the giveaway.

I have Three signed copies of The Dark Horde to giveaway thanks to Brewin!

To enter, please leave your email address and answer this question, “What was the title of the first horror book or movie that really scared you?”

Not required, but I’d love it if you followed my blog.

Contest ends December 14th.

Happy Holidays from me to you!!

Giveaway / Nobody Has To Know by Frank Nappi (fuonlyknew.com)

Coven #Giveaway Review and Guest Post by Diane Wing

Posted: November 26, 2012 in fiction, giveaways, Guest Post, otherworldly, Paranormal or fantasy, reviews, suspense, Witches
Tags: Coven, Diane Wing, Four Winds, magic, Tao, Witchcraft

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I have a guest ! Diane is doing a guest post here on fuonlyknew! And, there is a giveaway. Details are at the bottom.

But first let me tell you about Coven.

Coven: The Scrolls of the Four Winds

by Diane Wing

ADD to Goodreads

Amira, Mina, Iman, Uzma. They are the Triad witches from long ago, born and raised to protect the Scrolls of the Four Winds.

Once they were sisters in training, until one betrayed the others.

It’s been centuries since the betrayal, since Amira erased her sisters memories of what she’d done. Her lust for the scrolls and the power to rule the world proved too hard to turn away from and she stole them.

The sisters have lived through many reincarnations, but Amira is the only one who’s retained her memories through each life. She’s been waiting many lifetimes to bring them all together again.

Victoria – Amira, Alexis – Mina, Cassandra – Iman, Macy – Uzma. In present day they may have different names but they are still the Triad Witches. The binding spells cast upon them by Victoria, causing them to forget, are weakening. They’re starting to remember who they are and soon they will remember the betrayal.

Victoria has always regretted betraying the trust of her sisters and longs for the love and companionship she once had. She needs the others to help harness the power of the scrolls but she fears them also.

She wanted ultimate power, but vowed never to harm her three sisters unless it became absolutely necessary.

Victoria is still plotting and manipulating, but she’s also struggling with her inner demons, wanting what once was, yearning for it. She has never felt whole, felt loved, like when the Triad was together. The time will come when she must choose, world domination or love.

I became quite fond of Alexis, Cassandra, and Macy. Their witchly powers are portrayed in their daily lives and are their very essence of being. It was fun discovering how each ones powers showed in how they lived and worked.

Ethan I disliked right away. He is shallow and narcissistic. Not someone I cared for at all. There is another character that I liked at first, but grew to distrust. I’m sure this was the authors intent.

Victoria. Oh, what can I say. She’s a liar and a manipulator, doing whatever it takes to get what she wants. At first I was ambivalent about her, then I got mad at her, and then I felt such sadness for her. If you looked in the dictionary under lost, you’d find Victoria.

There is much to dislike about Victoria, but there’s also much to empathize with, perhaps because of the inner demons she struggles with. Her hunger for power and her longing for the love of her sisters is ripping her apart. She will have to choose one or the other.

Coven is about much more than witches and witchcraft. It guides you through friendship, betrayal, love, loss and regret. You will learn that nothing is final, bad choices can be changed, wrongs righted, and good can overcome evil. Love yourself, trust your heart, and others will love you too.

I was moved by Coven and it made me take a long look at myself. I felt there was a message for everyone in this story and I recommend this book to everyone as it has something for all of you.

Magickal!!

I’m thrilled to have Diane here as my guest to tell you about Coven and a little something about herself. The stage is yours Diane.

Coven: The Scrolls of the Four Winds was my first novel. It was magickal from the moment I began writing it. I was working in a very demanding corporate job at the time, and I asked the Universe to give me the time to finish writing it. Miraculously, I contracted the flu, which landed in my throat, ultimately making me lose my voice for many months, during which time I was able to complete writing Coven. Goes to show it’s important to be careful what you wish for and how you make your request!

The idea came to me as I considered the misconceptions and negative connotations associated with Witches and what it really means to be one. In its most positive context, everyone has the potential to be a Witch, and many aspire to be so. Being a Witch is a lifestyle, a way of being, a dedication to lifelong learning, a sense of connection with nature, the Divine, and all of the energies that surround us. It is the ability to direct those energies toward a focused purpose. It is the ability to understand Divine Will while developing a singularly strong will of one’s own. It is understanding Universal Law and riding the wave of the Tao to achieve in an effortless way, to manifest, and to thrive in abundance. It is a way to come into your power.

Many of the rituals and occult encounters in Coven come from personal experiences…you’ll have to guess which ones! Life is a string of magickal moments. The Triad Witches embrace who they are and use their powers in the course of everyday life; so, too, can each of us incorporate our Inner Magick into everything we do. You have magick within you!

***

Image of Diane Wing

Diane Wing, M.A. is an author, teacher, personal transformation guide, and intuitive consultant. She is the founder of Wing Academy of Unfoldment and the creator of Pathways: An interactive journey of self-discovery. She has a Master’s degree in clinical psychology and has been providing valuable insights for the highest good of her clients for over 27 years. Diane works with her clients to find meaning and fulfillment in their lives by helping them release their Inner Magick.

And now for the giveaway. Diane is giving away one copy of Coven, The Scrolls of the Four Winds.

Paperback or e-book (winners choice).

An International Giveaway – everyone is welcome!

To enter, leave your email address and answer this question, “Could you forgive a friend’s betrayal?”

Giveaway ends December 10th.

I’ve also read Thorne Manor…and other bizarre stories by Diane. You can read my review here .

To purchase Coven and other books by Diane Wing, just click on the images below.

The Snow Witch is predicting snow! Happy Holidays to ya’ll!

Winner Announced! / Thorne Manor…and other bizarre tales by Diane Wing (fuonlyknew.com)

It’s good to be alive……when you’re dead.

Posted: November 26, 2012 in fiction, Mystery, Paranormal or fantasy, reviews, Romance, Short stories and collections, Vampires
Tags: Alex, Emma Meade, Night Sighs, Paranormal romance, Tristan, Under the Desrt Moon

Night Sighs

by Emma Meade

Night Sighs

Tristan and his band are a sensation. Their rock concerts are jam-packed show after show. There’s nothing he loves more than performing before a screaming mass of fans. Well, except for her.

Alex loves Tristan, can’t keep her hands off him. There’s just one problem. He’s a vampire, but that’s not the problem. The problem is he wants to make her one too. As much as Alex loves Tristan, she doesn’t want to become a vampire.

He loved feeling her beneath him, her warm, beating body that knew his own so well. His next words were muffled into her curls but Alex heard him.

“I don’t have you completely. This world is so dangerous. You know that more than anyone Alex.”

“Shh, please,” she murmured and kissed the top of his head.

Alex doesn’t know how much longer she can put him off. Tristan is losing patience. She knows what she has to do and wishes there were any other way.

Two years later and Alex can stay away from Tristan no longer. She died a little on the day she snuck away. Seeing him, hearing his sultry voice on the stage, makes her wonder how she ever found the strength to leave. It didn’t matter now, she was here and she hoped Tristan would forgive her.

Later.

She felt his presence behind her but didn’t move, preparing herself for his questions. Finally Alex turned to face him.

“Tristan I -“

He flew at her bird-like and she hit the ground silently. Falling over her, Tristan clamped a hand over her mouth.

Alex’s chest rose and fell rapidly and her eyes were wide, pleading with him to understand. Tristan’s face was not the one she was familiar with. There was something crumpled about it, more human and paradoxically more sinister. He looked eerie now with his eyes just as wide and frightened as her own.

Slowly he removed his hand and sat back, allowing her to rise up to meet him at eye level. Both had ceased to listen to the clamour of the excited audience.

“You came back to me,” he announced as if it were an agreement.

Alex nodded, afraid now of this new Tristan. He was quieter than normal. The man she had fallen in love with had been impossible to shut up. What is it about him that changed? Maturity, it came to her. The child-like gleam in his eyes had gone.

“I missed you,” she told Tristan honestly and stroked his cheek.

He closed his eyes at the touch, lost for a second in anguish at long passed memories. Then he looked directly at her and Alex’s heart beat faster.

“Shh,” he whispered and she never got a chance to protest.

No, he doesn’t kill her. Well he does, but he doesn’t. You know what I mean.

Tristan may have changed, gained some maturity, but when it comes to his music and the band, he is still childishly stubborn.

The head of the vampire council forbids Tristan and the band from performing anymore. The risk of exposure is too dangerous.

Here’s where Tristan rebels. He and his boys continue to perform, thumbing their noses at the council. This will have consequences.

Night Sighs is several chapters in the lives of Tristan and Alex. They are insatiable and incorrigible. The sexual scenes are hot and steamy, Oh My! And there is plenty of danger and intrigue.

I read this front to back in one sitting and my only complaint is I want more. This is a great beginning and I’d love to read further into the adventures of Tristan and Alex.

If you like stories about vampires, adventure, dangerous predicaments, a bit of mystery, and steamy sensual romance, you’ll love Night Sighs. The title alone gives me goosebumps.

Priced at 99 cents, Emma is practically giving away Night Sighs.

Sexylicious and fun!!

Another book by Emma that I really loved was Under the Desert Moon.

17 year old Erin Harris spends her time daydreaming, hoping to escape her small town life in Copperfield, Arizona. When a movie crew arrives unexpectedly to shoot a vampire film over the summer, Erin’s small town world changes forever. Erin is positive she has seen the star, James Linkin before in a thirty year old TV show. He hasn’t aged a day. How is this possible? Erin is determined to find out, but how will James handle the scrutiny of an all too intelligent teenage girl?

Go here to read my review.

About the author

Author of Nights Sighs and Under the Desert Moon.

Emma Meade writes paranormal fiction.
She lives in rainy Ireland and loves all things supernatural. Stephen King’s The Stand is one of her most loved books. Books, DVDS & TV show boxsets take up lots of space in her home and she collects all the Point Horror books she can get her hands on.
She is not ashamed to admit that Dirty Dancing and Twilight make her top ten movie list but wishes to point out that The Last of the Mohicans, Reality Bites, Dead Poets Society, Stand by Me and The Goonies are in there too.

Writing supernatural stories & watching marathon re-runs of Buffy are some of her favourite ways of escaping reality.

You can find Emma here:

http://emmameade.com

Http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4229395.Emma_Meade

http://www.twitter.com/emmameade83

Purchase Emma’s books by clicking on images below:

Under the Desert Moon Blog Tour Has Begun! (fuonlyknew.com)
A Vampire in Copperfield / Under the Desert Moon (fuonlyknew.com)
Interview with YA Author Emma Meade (whimsicallyours.com)
“Why Vampires?” with Emma Meade – Immortal Monday (debrakristi.wordpress.com)
Erotic Vampire Vignettes (theinnerwildkat.wordpress.com)

I Have Winners!!

Posted: November 25, 2012 in Action/Adventure, Aliens, Contests, Creatures, fiction, giveaways, Mytery/Thriller, otherworldly, Paranormal or fantasy, Series, Winners!
Tags: Bigfoot, Cryptozoology, Undermountain, Unknown Primates

With this many reported sightings, how can we not believe Bigfoot exists? We can hope, can’t we?

Okay, now for the fun part. It’s time to announce the winners of Undermountain by Erik Edstrom!

The winners are:

Beth

stuffsmart

Winners have been notified.

Thanks to everyone for your comments. I loved reading them and hope you keep coming back to fuonlyknew.

For all of my giveaways go here .

It’s Santa! No. it’s Bigfoot! That’s not it either. It’s Santasquatch! Merry Christmas ya’ll!!

Newest release

To order any of these books, just click on the cover.

Undermountain and Afterlife / Reviews and Giveaway (fuonlyknew.com)
Bigfoot News Thanksgiving Edition, 2012 (robertlindsay.wordpress.com)
Why Are Bigfoot Rumors So Persistent? (slate.com)
The real reason scientists haven’t found bigfoot? They don’t have the right blimp. Oh, sorry, rigid airship [Silly] (fark.com)

Shunned Giveaway and Review. More Amish Bloodsuckers!

Posted: November 20, 2012 in Action/Adventure, Creatures, fiction, giveaways, Paranormal or fantasy, reviews, Series, Uncategorized, Vampires
Tags: Amish, Barbara Ellen Brink, Jael, Minnesota, Shunned, Thanksgiving, The Chosen (Smith novel), Vampire

Great news. I am hosting a giveaway for Shunned, The Amish Bloodsuckers Trilogy – Book Two.

My giveaway for Chosen – Book One ends at midnight November 20th.

For those who haven’t read Chosen, it will be free on Amazon November 21st – 23rd! You can get your copy and catch up on the series. You’ll be all ready for Shunned. You can purchase Chosen here .

Book Three, Reckoning is set to be released December 1st. I’m hoping to have a giveaway for it also, along with my review.

Shunned

The Amish Bloodsuckers Trilogy #2

by Barbara Ellen Brink

Shunned (Amish Bloodsuckers, #2)

ADD to Goodreads

I’m still lovin the cover art for this series. Take your time and really look at it!

They’re back! Most of my favorite characters are back plus I got to meet some new ones. Not saying they’re all nice, but they’re definitely interesting.

Spoiler Alert

Shunned is Book Two in The Amish Bloodsuckers Trilogy and just wanted to gives you a heads up. I don’t believe I will be giving anything away. I’ve tried to make this entertaining and fun without revealing any of the really relevant points of the story line.

Shunned takes up right where Chosen left us and Jael, the Chosen one, is in for big changes. She’s going to Minnesota to stay with her Amish grandparents. Til now she’s lived a somewhat normal teen-age life, except for the daily training in slaying vampires and the fact that no one is allowed to visit her at her house. But now she’s going to be living in an Amish community, learning and living by their customs.

Until recently she didn’t even know she had grandparents and she’s worried about how they will receive her. After all, her parents left the community before she was born, sneaking off in the night in order to protect their child from the Bishop, the community leader and a vampire. Most of the folks who live at Loon Lake don’t know about the vampires in their midst or about the Chosen one. Jael will be playing this on the down-low.

Knowing that her best friends Shadow and Brianna, now a couple, will be coming to spend the summer in Minnesota at Bree’s grandmothers house, only 20 miles away, gives her the courage to go to Loon Lake and face her newly discovered family.

Upon her arrival:

Jael drew a deep breath and moved tentatively closer, grasping the handle of her book bag at her side. She paused a few feet from the porch and looked into blue eyes faded with time.

“Grandma? I’m Jael.”

The woman seemed to weave like a thick blade of grass in the wind and then she stepped off the porch and put out her hands.

“Jael?” Tears filled her eyes and she closed them for a second, before reaching out and taking Jael’s hands in hers. She pulled her close and kissed her cheek. She smelled of onions and cinnamon and her hands were worn and rough with calluses, but the joy in her eyes made everything right.

I love that her grandfather calls her little one. He is gruff and stern but also tender and giving. Jael’s fears evaporate and she begins to settle in.

I had plenty of laughs reading about her attempts to fit in. She learns to bake bread, of course, gathers the eggs, and milks Elsa the goat. She does all of this at the crack of dawn. And she finally consents to wearing Amish garb, long drab dress, prayer cap, and all.

The dress won’t help when she has to battle with a vampire. She gets in quite the fix then, but she improvises really well and manages to stay alive.

Jael has brought vengeance with her to Loon Lake and to the Bishop and his growing gang of vampires. She will not stop until his reins of leadership are broken and the vampires are all dead.

There is a story inside Jael’s story. One about another Jael from long ago, back in 1142 B.C. Present day Jael sees the other Chosen one in her dreams, like watching a moving picture. At first she’s confused by the dreams, but then I felt she drew strength from them. She came to accept what she was here for, what her purpose was.

She may have matured but she’s still a teen-ager, with all the angst, insecurity and rebellion. I love her even more.

Things start to get dangerous and messy in Loon Lake and the stakes get higher. Her uncle Seth reappears and along with Bree and Shadow, they are right in the thick of it.

There are some great reveals and surprises as you read Book Two and one heck of a cliffhanger ending. I am so hooked!

This series is heating up!!

I need to tell you that these are not stand alone books. You need to read the series from the beginning, but at only a few dollars a book, it’s so worth the price.

Giveaway

Barbara is offering two books for the giveaway. Paperback or e-book (winners choice).

Entry is easy. Just leave your email address and answer this question, “Do you prefer a tropical Christmas or one blanketed with snow?”

This giveaway ends on December 3rd.

My giveaway for Chosen – Book One ends at midnight on Nov.20th. You can still enter to win the first book in this series. Just go here .

Not required, but I’d love it if you followed my blog.

About the author

Barbara Ellen Brink is a multi-published author of mystery and suspense. She lives with her husband and their two mutts in the great state of Minnesota where mosquitoes are the only bloodsuckers she’s actually ever seen. This is Barbara’s first foray into the world of Amish and Vampires – both of which scare her – but it isn’t the last. The 2^nd book in The Amish Bloodsuckers Trilogy – SHUNNED – is now available. The 3^rd book – RECKONING – will be available for December 1st!

Author Website/blog: http://www.barbaraellenbrink.com

Amish Bloodsuckers website: http://www.amishvampireslayer.moonfruit.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BarbaraEllenBrink

Twitter: BarbaraEBrink

To purchase The Amish Bloodsucker novels, just click on the images below.

For more books by Barbara Brink click on these images.

Thank you for stopping by my blog. Wishing you the best for the holidays ya’ll!

Chosen – Amish Bloodsucker Trilogy #1/ Giveaway and Review (fuonlyknew.com)
10 Things You Probably Don’t Know About The Amish (mryoungscholar.wordpress.com)
Amish Holidays (vannettachapman.wordpress.com)
Shunned Giveaway and Review. More Amish Bloodsuckers! (fuonlyknew.com)

Special Offers is FREE!

Posted: November 10, 2012 in Action/Adventure, Aliens, Book Promos, comedy, fiction, Freebies!, giveaways, otherworldly, Paranormal or fantasy, Romance, Series
Tags: Alex, Hailey, Humour, M L Ryan, otherworldly, Parallel universe (fiction), Special Offers

Free Friday and Saturday, November 9th and 10th!

Special Offers by M L Ryan

I loved this book and am thrilled that Book Two will be released soon. So ready for more.

Go here to read my review.

To get your free copy go here .

About the book:

Hailey Parrish is quick-witted, irreverent, and hasn’t had a date in three years. She only wanted an eBook reader because her collection of paperbacks threatened to take over her small living space. Little did she know that the “special offers” that prompted the purchase included much more than a reduced price in exchange for a few ads. The device came pre-loaded with the essence of Sebastian Kess, an erudite womanizer with magical abilities from a parallel dimension. When she inadvertently releases him and he inhabits her body, she finally has a man inside her, just not in the way she imagined. And soon her predicament introduces her to yet another supernatural, the handsome could-be-the-man-of-her-dreams Alex Sunderland. Can Alex and Hailey find a way to return Sebastian to his own body, stay one step ahead of the criminals who want to keep him where he is, and not lose their sense of humor?

For more about M L Ryan and where to find her:

Author’s web site: http://www.coursodondimension.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CoursodonDimension

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/MLRyan1

Email: MLRyan@coursodondimension.com

I Have Special Offers For You! Giveaway (fuonlyknew.com)

Undermountain and Afterlife / Reviews and Giveaway

Posted: November 10, 2012 in Action/Adventure, Aliens, Creatures, fiction, giveaways, otherworldly, Paranormal or fantasy, reviews, Science Fiction, Series, YA
Tags: Afterlife, Author, Bigfoot, Canada, Concept art, Eric, Science fiction on television, Shaggy, Starship Troopers, Undermountain Saga

I have a fantastic series to tell you about. The Undermountain Saga.

I’ll be reviewing Undermountain, Book One and Afterlife, Book Two. I tried not to put in any spoilers for book two. Just teased you a bit. And I also have a giveaway for you. US/Canada only. Details are after my reviews.

Undermountain

by Eric Edstrom

Undermountain (The Undermountain Saga, #1)

It starts normally enough. Six teen-agers and their guide, Harvin, are on a grand adventure, camping in the wilds of Canada. Harvin is gruff and unfriendly but very knowledgeable about the Rockies and its dangers. The kids are from all walks of life and couldn’t be more different. This trip is going to be interesting.

While collecting water Danny and Breyona see something amazing. Racing along is this two-headed creature with four pointy legs and right behind him is this huge hairy beast best described as a Bigfoot. When Danny tells the group what they witnessed, the other kids laugh it off as a joke.

When they discover giant footprints on the bank of the stream, their guide passes them off as bear tracks. But Shiv isn’t so sure of that. He has books on the flora and fauna of the Rockies and can’t find anything that matches the prints.

Danny and Breyona have another close encounter with the hairy bigfoot when it fishes Danny out of the stream, saving his life. They run away and hide in the woods, stopping to spy on the creature. It’s not chasing them. Instead it’s pacing back and forth on the bank, holding it’s hand to its head and muttering to itself. No wait, it’s talking into a cell phone and it’s speaking English.

It’s not long before everyone has a close encounter. The four-legged creatures, called Shriekers, which I visualize as the bugs from Starship Troopers, are hungry and they hunt as a pack. The kids are on the menu and running for their lives. Separated from their guide they are quickly surrounded and things look really bad. Seemingly from out of nowhere a bigfoot appears and quickly subdues several of the shriekers. He doesn’t kill them. Instead he calms them somehow.

Several more of the hairy creatures take care of the rest of the pack and turn their attention to the humans. Then, the one Danny recognizes from before speaks, “Be at ease. I cannot harm you.”

Definitely not a bigfoot!

Here are a couple quotes I really liked:

“I’m sorry I didn’t believe you about … bigfoot,” Wa said. “But you need to work on your delivery.”

– A barrage of swearing came flying in. Breyona. “I’m gonna kill you, and after I kill you, I’m gonna kill you again. I’m gonna keep on killing you until your dead. Do you hear me, you furball?”

Everyone will love this story. It’s action packed, you’ve got alien creatures and a huge secret. I wish I could tell you more. I really want to, but that would be spoiling it.

One scene in particular sticks in my mind. It ‘s when they base jump from a cliff and the cliff is inside the mountain. Can you just picture it?

The author does a beautiful job of describing this secret world, you’ll feel like you’re there. I’d love to visit.

Anyone looking for a grand adventure will love Undermountain. It’s so well written, flows seamlessly and rushes along to a great ending. There’s never a dull moment and I eagerly turned each page, excited to see what was coming next. That’s what makes this story so great. There’s always something new and surprising and it makes me wish I could be there.

I loved it and you will too.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8j926g4C1A]

And now for my next review.

Afterlife

Book two

Afterlife (The Undermountain Saga, #2)

I really love the cover art for these books. They compliment the stories and are just incredible.

All of my favorite characters are back, human and hairy. And of course, since there’s a second book, you know our hero’s will be seeing their alien friends and enemies again.

It’s been more than six months since they returned from the mountain, bringing something away with them that’s changed them forever.

Now they are having a reunion of sorts. All meeting up again at Danny’s grandma’s house.

I can’t wait for you to meet Grandma. She is amazing and I just love her. So much character in such a tiny, frail looking body. You’ll see what I mean.

Everyone is there except for Breyona. She’s running late. Then the doorbell rings.

Danny froze as a surge of excitement filled him. The doorbell rang again, followed by two sharp knocks.

“Are you going to stand there like a lump or are you going to open the door?” Grandma asked.

Danny smiled. It had to be Breyona. He turned the knob.

The door smashed into his face and sent him stumbling backward. He tripped and fell over the porcelain frog and landed hard on his back.

A man wearing a black track suit and gas mask barged in. “Okay, nobody move.”

Another man in a gas mask rushed in and pointed a spray can at Danny.

Grandma stepped forward and kneed Track Suit in the groin. He bent double, swearing in a high-pitched rasp.

“Sit on him, Bronson,” Grandma said.

Didn’t I tell you. You can’t help but want to hug her. She is such a tough old bird. But not tough enough. They all succumb to the gas.

Breyona is four hours late when she finally pulls up to Grandma’s house. Once everyone is awakened, they discover that Danny and Wa are missing.

The whole thing was caught on security cameras and they watched it play out on Grandmas computer. The men came there looking for something Danny had. Something they needed badly. And they got it. They take the unconscious Danny and bring Wa along for leverage.

It looks like the enemy isn’t done with them and it’s time to go back under the mountain.

This time they may not be so lucky.

Eric is at it again. Filling the pages with excitement, danger, intrigue and plenty of humor. This series is so addicting. And it just keeps getting better. He builds this incredible secret society, fills it with amazing creatures, and opens you up to a whole new world. I swear I can hear the sounds of this city and see all the wonders with my own eyes.

It’s a fast read from beginning to end, pulling you along with it. You won’t want to stop until you reach the conclusion, and maybe not even then.

Still lovin it!

Great news for you. There will be more!

And now for the giveaway. Eric is offering two paperback copies of Undermountain. US/Canada only.

To enter is easy. Just leave your email address and answer this question, “Do you believe bigfoot exists?”

Giveaway ends November 24th.

Not required but I’d love it if you followed me on twitter and my blog

You can find Eric’s contacts below.

Did you like this post? Please hit that tweet and like button! Thank you.

For all of my giveaways go here

About the Author

Eric is an author, songwriter, husband, father, and guitarist. He is the author of Undermountain and Afterlife, the first two entries in YA science fiction series The Undermountain Saga.

Eric loves working out with kettlebells and eating pretty much anything with peanut butter.

Eric has a featured article just published: http://www.kalkion.com/news/1736/scie…

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5408492.Eric_Edstrom

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/ekedstrom

Facebook.com/erickentedstrom

www.ericedstro m.com

Newest release

To order any of these books, just click on the cover.

The photo and comments of Shaggy below, were copied from Eric Kent Edstrom’s blog.

Is This Hanameesovenama (aka Shaggy)?

The brilliant concept artist Cristof Grobleski created this stunning conceptual image of Hanameesovenama, one of the villains from The Undermountain Saga.

Hanameesovenama, of the bigfoot Council of the Strict (click for bigfoot sized view)

View more of Christof’s wonderful artwork here.

Man says Bigfoot is in Texas – and he can prove it (kens5.com)
Proof Of Bigfoot Encounter? (zen-haven.com)
Spike TV Bigfoot Bounty Offering $10 Million for Bigfoot Evidence (americanlivewire.com)
Mayor Burchett to proclaim ‘Bigfoot Day’ (knoxnews.com)
Idaho scientist seeks to launch aerial Bigfoot search with blimp (news.yahoo.com)

The Legend Has Been Unleashed!

Posted: November 8, 2012 in Action/Adventure, Alert!!, Book Promos, fiction, otherworldly, Paranormal or fantasy, Release day, werewolves
Tags: fantasy, fey, Legend Unleashed, M. Latimer-Ridley, magic, New Release, werewolves

Happy Release Day!

Legend Unleashed

by M Latimer Ridley

Add to Goodreads

When an infamous criminal is unleashed from his prison, it has consequences for everyone in Carwick. Temperance Levinthal in particular…

Temperance is satisfied with her ordinary life. Dealing with her eccentric, childlike parents is all the excitement she needs. That changes when Alastair Byron returns home.
After a failed matchmaking attempt by her father, sparks fly between her and Alastair-just not the good kind.
They are forced together though, when they are implicated in a grisly murder. Their search for the truth leads them to a secret world beneath Carwick, filled with werewolves, wizards and other magical faey.
However, uncovering the truth is far more dangerous than they’d ever imagined.
There are secrets within secrets.
Even Alastair may be more than he seems…

I’m reading this right now and will be back to tell you all about it real soon!

About the authors

Latimer (Karen) and Ridley (Rachel) are two eccentric best friends with far too many obsessions and a frightening addiction to tea. When they aren’t reading stories filled with magic, passion and adventure, they’re writing them. A writing duo for the last nine years, they’ve always dreamed of sharing their imaginary worlds and quirky characters with others. While they live in Ireland, they would love to spend their lives travelling the world. But for now, they can be found happily wandering the internet.

Website: www.mlatimerridley.com

Get your copy by clicking on the image below! A copy is waiting for you.

Chosen – Amish Bloodsucker Trilogy #1/ Giveaway and Review

Posted: November 6, 2012 in Action/Adventure, comedy, Excerpt, fiction, giveaways, Paranormal or fantasy, reviews, Romance, Series, Vampires
Tags: Amish, Barbara Brink, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Chosen.Amish Bloodsuckers, Jael, Little Red Riding Hood, Vampire

GREAT NEWS! Barbara has added a paperback to the giveaway so now there are two chances to win. Everyone already entered will be eligible for this too.

Chosen

The Amish Bloodsucker Trilogy #1

by Barbara Ellen Brink

Chosen (Amish Bloodsucker trilogy, #1)

I love the cover art for this book. I just knew it was going to be a fun read, and it was! I mean, Amish blood sucking vampires, now you know that’s going to be fun!

Jael is The Chosen One. She is descended from a long line of slayers. It’s her duty to save the Loon Lake Amish Community, which has been infiltrated by Bishop and his pack of vampires. He wants her dead before her 16th birthday, when she’ll come into her full slayer abilities.

Her parents, Miriam and Jesse, were forced to leave Minnesota when Miriam discovered she was pregnant. They knew she was carrying the next Chosen One and have been running ever since. Always moving, staying isolated, never in one place too long.

Jael never understood why they lived so far away from everyone, why she was never allowed to have friends over.

Jesse, Jael’s father, has trained her in martial arts and slaying with stakes for as long as she can remember. It’s only recently that she even knew she was Amish and The Chosen.

With the help of her uncle Seth, Jael goes on her first hunt.

“Well don’t just sit there….. We have vamps to stake.”

A slow smile turned up his lips and he climbed out too.

Her dad had fashioned her a leather tool belt with enough loops to hold six stakes, two on each side and two in the back. She slipped it on around her waist and filled every loop with a pointy, curved stake. Inside the top of each of her boots she slipped a four-inch blade. She picked up the crossbow. It this isn’t enough firepower……

Could you picture her doing this in a long dress, apron and prayer cap. That would be a hindrance for sure! Luckily her parents don’t make her wear traditional Amish garb.

A quirky thing about The Chosen. They are all born with six toes on one foot. Jael’s parents had hers removed as an infant to disguise who she was. When the vamps are near, her phantom toe gives her a painful warning. This comes in useful.

Brianna is Jael’s best friend and couldn’t be more different.

If lives were fairy tales, Brianna would reign supreme as a Walt Disney princess, while Jael would live in the darker Grimm Brother’s version where survival meant slaying dragons on a daily basis.

There are rumors going around at school that Jael lives in a commune and is a sister wife. Brianna has seen her bruises and believes she is being abused. A time will come when Jael will have to tell her the truth. But not yet.

Shadow is the “bad boy” personified. The one all mothers warn their daughters about, with a piercing gaze, lanky good looks and a mouth full of sarcasm. He has an unusual effect on Jael. Not a romantic one, instead his proximity makes her nauseous. It appears there is more to Shadow than meets the eye.

Then there’s Bruno, a huge wolf hound and loyal companion of Jael’s. They seem to have a special connection. She can get him to do some really fun tricks. He’s also a great deterrent considering he’s the size of a small horse.

Jael’s 16th birthday is coming soon and the vampires are searching high and low for her. Thet need her dead before she comes into her full slayer abilities, while Jael has no clue what the powers will be. She is going to need all the help she can get if she’s going to be ready to go after Bishop and his bloodsuckers.

I really like Jael. Barbara was able to make her a typical teen, with everyday worries and baggage, and also with a secret life as a vampire slayer, and made it believeable and really fun.

The bloodsuckers are nasty, Jael is double tough, her family is fiercely devoted and her friends are loyal.

There are some tender moments in this story and a whole lot of humor. You’d expect that with the title Amish Bloodsuckers! It’s all in good fun, but there is some serious slaying too! Jael didn’t go through all of that training for nothing. I felt some Buffy and Little Red Riding Hood in this story.

Chosen is well written, fast-paced and easy to follow. I like how Barbara was able to keep it simple with so much going on. It could have been complicated, but she feeds you the story in bites that are easy to chew. I’m hungry for more.

A whole lot of fun!

I’ve just finished reading Shunned – Book Two and will be telling you about it soon. And more news! Book Three is coming very soon.

Excerpt from CHOSEN:

“Jael?” Brianna was watching her with a puzzled expression on her face. “Are you all right? You seem sort of out-of-it.” She closed her locker, her history book in the crook of her arm.

“Yeah, just tired. Up late last night,” Jael said, dropping her book bag in the bottom of her locker and sliding out the book she needed for first class – Trigonometry. Ick. She’d rather smell a rotting corpse on a warm night than solve math problems.

“Okay…well… I’ll see you later, right?” She backed up a couple of steps, holding her gaze as though Jael would disappear again as soon as she let her out of her sight.

“Sure.”

Brianna smiled, then turned and hurried down the hall toward Mr. Stanton’s history class. Jael watched her go, feeling as though she was losing the only real friend she’d ever had, and there was nothing she could do about it. She saw Marti stop Brianna outside the history classroom to say something and then they both laughed and went into class together.

Jael slammed her locker shut and twisted the combination lock. She couldn’t go on this way much longer. Kicking vampire butts at night and pretending to be an average girl during the day was just taking too much out of her. She wasn’t cut out to live a double life. She wanted to be normal. If only she could be like Brianna, have parents that were nerdy scientists, a baby brother who was already taking college classes cause he tested out of third grade and was considered a genius. Okay, maybe Brianna’s family wasn’t that “normal” but still.

“Hey, Jael,” a male voice whispered close to her ear.

She twisted around and was a tenth of a second from crushing the guy’s windpipe with the heel of her hand when she realized it was just Lyle standing there. She dropped her arms and blew out a confused breath.

“You scared me,” she lied, a flimsy excuse for cover.

“Sorry.” He backed up a step, as though sensing his near demise. “Just wanted to see if you were coming to the exhibition game against the Redville Scorpions tonight. Some of us are going out afterwards for burgers. Thought you might like to come along. Hang out. Have some fun.” He narrowed his eyes. “You live way out in the desert somewhere, don’t you? Like in a commune or something?”

“What?”

“It’s cool. I don’t mind.” He smiled, and stepped closer, leaning in against the lockers with one hand. A wave of minty fresh breath wafted over her. He was always sucking on those Altoids. Curiously strong indeed.

“Good to know,” she said, basking in the warmth of his gaze. The blonde basketball star could believe she lived in a cave in Afghanistan if he wanted to, as long as he looked at her like that.

“So…?” He leaned closer, pinning her against the lockers with the heat of his eyes and another wave of peppermint.

She smiled back. “I was thinking about coming to the game.”

“Cool. I’ll see you tonight then,” he said, and pushed off from the locker. He winked and walked away to join a group of guys waiting at the end of the hall.

Her arms and legs felt paralyzed as though she’d been shot with a tranquilizer dart. At least how she imagined it would feel to be shot with a tranquilizer dart. She forced herself to move, to look away from the group of guys and walk in the opposite direction. She couldn’t let Lyle know that he set her heart racing just by speaking to her and that her skin tingled with electricity at his proximity. He would think she was some crazy, stalker girl – someone to avoid, not date.

The bell rang as she slowly moved toward the trigonometry room. Her legs refused to hurry, regardless of being tardy. She paused outside the door, listening to the sound of voices and laughter and scraping chairs as kids settled down for class. Mr. Winchester’s gruffy baritone rang out calling for attention.

Jael suddenly realized the predicament she’d shoved herself into. Since when had she ever thought about going to a game, much less believe her parents would allow her to be out of their sight that long? She blew out a frustrated breath. Since a hot guy asked her out on a date–that’s when. She had to get into town for the game tonight. It was her only chance to be normal. If it were up to her parents and Uncle Seth, the only socializing she’d ever do would be with undead creatures in the dark of night.

This was a once in a lifetime. She never thought Lyle would give her the time of day much less invite her out for burgers. Okay, maybe it wasn’t a real date; just a group thing. But it was a start.

Barabara has given me one e-book of Chosen to giveaway!

Bonus! Barbara is also giving away a paperback copy! For those who have already enterewd, you’re eligible to win this also!

It’s east to enter. Just leave your email address and answer this question: “What would you use to kill an Amish vampire?”

Giveaway ends November 20th.

Book Description

Chosen (Book One)

The Amish Bloodsuckers Trilogy

With tongue firmly in cheek and genuine Amish-made stakes at hand, The Amish Bloodsucker Trilogy sets off like a bat in the belfry. Jael the vampire slayer is ready to kick some serious bloodsucker butt. Seriously.

Move over Buffy – there’s a new slayer in town! Raised in the desert of Nevada, and destined for the Minnesota Loon Lake Amish Community, Jael Shetler is the Chosen One.

Trained by her uncle and father in twenty-one different forms of hand-to-hand combat – she also throws a knife with the speed of a bullet, and is accurate to within two centimeters of a cold, dead heart with her crossbow – she is a bloodsucker’s worst nightmare.

Her parents, forced to leave their plain and simple upbringing to escape the clutches of the new Bishop – an ancient and powerful vampire with plans to use the Amish Community as his own personal Jamba Juice – raise and train their daughter to continue the fight begun thousands of years earlier by another Jael, and to fulfill the prophecy in the Book of the Shunned.

Soon Jael is turning sweet sixteen and then … all hell will break loose.